Doug, I don't expect anyone to necessarily have two of every tool in inventory. Whether in a shop or mobile based.
What I do expect of a professional is to be able to adapt in short order and still meet the agreed upon schedule. I also expect a business or mobile professional to have sufficient capital reserve or credit, or stature to buy, rent, borrow, or beg a replacement tool to keep running in short order. If you show up at the airport for your holiday and the plane is knackered, they fix it or re position another one in a timely manner. They don't tell you it'll be next week before they can get you to your destination or fed ex didn't deliver the part, it'll come monday.......probably.
Additionally, in your shop you have options if your morticer goes tits up. You can chuck a bit in your router and presto - mortices. Or a forstner bit in the drill press cleaned up with a chisel. Panel saw goes down - Track saw, or table saw with a helper and some sawhorses. Planer crapped out ? Good ol #7 and sander will get you there. A professional mobile joiner should have similar options, capabilities and skills. You don't turn the lights off and head down to the pub if said morticer fails do you ?
Don't take this as an affront but - if you cannot get a job's worth of good cuts out of that mitre saw with a good blade, then perhaps you should evaluate your skill set. I'm not about tell you that 150quid saw is as well made, finished, or tolerances as tight as a kapex, or will last as long. Nor that it will feel as good, be as light, and maybe not even adjust as quickly. But I will tell you that you can find one in stock that has flat and square tables, acceptable arbor run-out and a motor will last at least a year - all which will make for acceptable cuts to a paying customer.
I've used these chiwaneese mitre saws many times for one offs. I've flown into a jobsite , stopped by Sears ( our less than stellar tool purveyor but located everywhere) bought one with a freud blade and used it to run everything from Italian lacquer, German laminate, and American oak/walnut, as well a teak millwork in homes starting at $5million. Then I'll give it to someone onsite that's deserving. They cut quite cleanly, but I'll bet most I've purchased over the years are now in the trash. In the hands of a skilled operator they'll produce fine results. Might also take a bit longer than with my go to saw, but the job moves forward.
All of the millwork in those stately Tudor and Edwardian manses that litter England were all done by craftsman with handsaws for gosh sake.
What I do expect of a professional is to be able to adapt in short order and still meet the agreed upon schedule. I also expect a business or mobile professional to have sufficient capital reserve or credit, or stature to buy, rent, borrow, or beg a replacement tool to keep running in short order. If you show up at the airport for your holiday and the plane is knackered, they fix it or re position another one in a timely manner. They don't tell you it'll be next week before they can get you to your destination or fed ex didn't deliver the part, it'll come monday.......probably.
Additionally, in your shop you have options if your morticer goes tits up. You can chuck a bit in your router and presto - mortices. Or a forstner bit in the drill press cleaned up with a chisel. Panel saw goes down - Track saw, or table saw with a helper and some sawhorses. Planer crapped out ? Good ol #7 and sander will get you there. A professional mobile joiner should have similar options, capabilities and skills. You don't turn the lights off and head down to the pub if said morticer fails do you ?
Don't take this as an affront but - if you cannot get a job's worth of good cuts out of that mitre saw with a good blade, then perhaps you should evaluate your skill set. I'm not about tell you that 150quid saw is as well made, finished, or tolerances as tight as a kapex, or will last as long. Nor that it will feel as good, be as light, and maybe not even adjust as quickly. But I will tell you that you can find one in stock that has flat and square tables, acceptable arbor run-out and a motor will last at least a year - all which will make for acceptable cuts to a paying customer.
I've used these chiwaneese mitre saws many times for one offs. I've flown into a jobsite , stopped by Sears ( our less than stellar tool purveyor but located everywhere) bought one with a freud blade and used it to run everything from Italian lacquer, German laminate, and American oak/walnut, as well a teak millwork in homes starting at $5million. Then I'll give it to someone onsite that's deserving. They cut quite cleanly, but I'll bet most I've purchased over the years are now in the trash. In the hands of a skilled operator they'll produce fine results. Might also take a bit longer than with my go to saw, but the job moves forward.
All of the millwork in those stately Tudor and Edwardian manses that litter England were all done by craftsman with handsaws for gosh sake.
